SH Blog: Mozgov on the block, Melo spied on by Dolan?

Perhaps surprisingly, Timofey Mozgov hasn’t gotten much run this season for the Denver Nuggets. Behind JaVale McGee, Kenneth Faried and Kosta Koufos on the frontcourt depth chart, the Russian center has seen just 10 minutes per game for a team that’s currently in 6th place in the Western Conference, sitting at 23-16.

At just under $2.8 million, Mozgov is set to become free agent in July. Though he’s a solid insurance policy to have around in case one of their big men get injured, Denver is apparently willing to shop Mozgov to see if it can claim some assets for their 7-1 center instead of letting him walk away for free at the end of the season.

The Miami Heat have struggled to rebound consistently during the first half of the season and would certainly like to shore up their front line.

“It think it’s logical, you can see that, trading me,’’ Mozgov said in an interview with FOX Sports Florida. “I’m in my contract year. So if they can get something for me… I don’t think it would be a surprise for me (to be traded).’’ Miami is looking for a big man. It remains to be seen if the Heat could come up with an offer to entice the Nuggets for the 7-foot-1 Mozgov, making $2.79 million. The Heat don’t have a lot of assets that they would trade. They have young point guard Norris Cole, who makes $1.11 million and would be hard to give up. The Nuggets are set at point guard with Ty Lawson and Andre Miller, but multi-team deals are always possible. The Heat also could dangle a first-round draft pick they are due from Philadelphia that is lottery protected. It would go to Miami as soon as next June if the 76ers don’t make the playoffs. “I heard Miami is trying to find a big guy,’’ Mozgov said when asked about the Heat, who have had rebounding problems all season. “We’ll see. I don’t know (what might happen).’’

In a limited role where rebounding, defense and an occasional post move would be big additions, it’s possible Mozgov would thrive in Miami. Of course, time will tell where Mozgov ends up.